
CHICAGO (CBS) — Chicago aldermen on Wednesday unanimously confirmed the obviously popular Eddie Johnson as the city’s new police superintendent, allowing Mayor Rahm Emanuel to bypass the normal process for selecting the city’s top cop.
All 50 aldermen, including newly sworn-in Ald. Sophia King (4th), voted to approve Johnson’s appointment.
Ald. Howard Brookins (21st) acknowledged the big job Johnson has ahead of him, with skyrocketing numbers of shootings and homicides, and a Police Department facing the difficult task of rebuilding public trust in the wake of the Laquan McDonald police shooting and other recent scandals.
“We’re all pulling for you. We’re all relying on you to make this city safer, and also to bring back the trust and respect that that office deserves,” he said.
Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th), who has known Johnson for a while, said he’s up to the task.
“You have always been a dedicated hard worker. You work all times of day or night. I admire your ethics,” she said.